Soften the edge of a selection

How To Tip:

Soften the edge of a selection using the Feather command.

When you combine two images, touch up an area, or apply a filter, you often want a soft transition. The Feather command softens or blurs the edge of a selection, making changes you apply blend in more naturally with its surroundings. Feathering is centered on the selection edge and blurs both in and out from the boundary. You control the width of the feathering by setting its radius value in pixels.

If anything is currently selected, choose Select > Deselect.

In the Layers palette, select the desired layer or layer set.

Using a selection tool, select an area in the image.

Choose Select > Feather.

Type a value for Feather Radius, and click OK. For a very subtle softening, you can type a value less than one pixel (for example, .5). The larger the value, the larger the feathered or blurred transition.

Note: Although the selection marquee still appears as a dotted line, its edge has softened to include pixels on both sides of its boundary.

Apply a filter, or move, cut, copy, paint, or fill the selection. Photoshop feathers the edge.

You can also soften the edges of a selection by switching to the Quick Mask mode and using a soft-edged brush to adjust the edges.